Mega Man 1: Let the Games Begin

I'm going to first start this review saying that lately I have been obsessed with revisiting my past. I'm a kid who grew up in the 90s, one of the best decades ever to grow up. It had its toys, games, Disney movies, and mostly its cartoons. One cartoon I vaguely remember watching is Mega Man. Now I'll be honest and say that I have never played a Mega Man title in my life. However, with the Marvel vs. Capcom games Mega Man is always my top player I choose. Something about the guy makes me like him. Either his powers, his looks, the fact he's blue, or just cool character. Just recently, I was looking up his history and found out his first appearance was in December of 1987. He’s my age, which made me excited to find out a favorite character is 26. With all that said, I had to buy this comic book. Now for the actual review of this comic book. First off, I keep reading and hearing people say this is a kid’s comic? Yes, it read like a kid’s comic, but it really is an all ages comic. Ian Flynn knows his audience well enough to not only write a Mega Man comic just for kids, but for anyone who likes Mega Man. Sure there's part of it that seem childish, like Flynn side noting what A.I. means, but there's parts of it he makes Mega Man more humanistic then I remember. You could say this is a kid’s comic book with some heart. Overall, Flynn knows how to write a comic book based on a video game. The other part that appealed to me with this book is the artwork. As most kids comics these days, they really pick out good artist. Not only does it look like a fun Saturday morning cartoon, but the coloring is well done as well. This might be a quick read, but the art makes to want to stay for a little while. One thing I should mention is that I always did love the robot designs in Mega Man. Something about the designs just makes me like the robots. I'm happy this comic uses that and makes me happy again. Love the fact this is done in an anime style too. In conclusion to my nerdgasm review, this book is flat out fun and entertaining. If you like comic books, Mega Man, and don't mind an all ages book, then search no more. Good thing I bought the other trades, because I seriously want more Mega Man!

I was hesitant when I heard that Archie Comics was going to make a Mega Man series. I was all: Seriously, Capcom? You couldn't find anyone better? Then I read the first issue and thoroughly enjoyed it. And I also enjoyed each and every issue to come out after. So, okay, Archie Comics. I'm sorry for doubting you. The artstyle is very reminiscent of the games: Cute, colorful and cartoony, with a good level of detail in the machinery bits. Unless you have a particular disdain for manga art styles, you'll enjoy the lightheartedness of the simple cartoon drawings. Story wise, the plots are simple and straightforward. This is not a slight against it. Like Mega Man himself, the story's are earnest and nice and can be enjoyed by all ages. I didn't know how they were going to go about it. Previous attempts were seriously lacking (Like the previous series attempted by Dreamwave Comics, at least, I think it was them) and tried to make Mega Man a kid going to school or something. Heck, they even called him Mega for his normal, everyday name. So, I am happy that this one succeeds where others failed. If you like Mega Man, then you'll like this. I mean, it's not like Capcom's gonna make another game anytime soon.

I'm not a big comic book guy, but I knew when I saw the cover of Archie Comics' new Mega Man comic series that somehow it would end up on my bookshelf. The combination of awesome artwork - some of the best associated with the character in eons, and authentic to the video games - and Ian Flynn's writing just absolutely can't be beat. Essentially retelling the events of the original 1987 NES game, this collection of the series's first four issues takes the character back to his roots. We are reminded that Rock, the lab assistant android who volunteers to become the super fighting robot, Mega Man, is mentally and emotionally just a little boy trying to cope with his sudden influx of firepower and we are witnesses to his struggle to do so while taking down the six Robot Masters stolen and reprogrammed by his creator's jealous and greedy ex-partner, Dr. Wily. Anyone who's a fan of the classic Mega Man video game series and is even remotely into comics owes it to themselves to pick this up if they haven't already.

I enjoy reading All-Age comics (I've been a fan of Archie's Sonic the Hedgehog for years) so I check out new series whenever I can. I came across rave reviews for the new Mega Man series so I decided to see what the fuss was about. This volume basically sums up Mega Man's origin as well as the story from the first game (as much story as their was since it was an action NES game) and does so excellently. Ian Flynn does a great job of setting the story and the relationships of the characters. Mega Man is written as childish but responsible and includes a nice bit of naivety which makes sense considering his recent creation. His interactions with his 'sister' Roll are well done especially around the 3rd part of the volume where she shows that she thinks for herself and isn't afraid to speak her mind. It sounds like she won't be a one line support character which I think is more than welcome. The only complaint I would have is the pacing for the arc is kinda on the fast side for me as they go through all the robot masters (the big bad's henchmen) pretty quickly and I would have liked a little more by way of battes but I suppose this is due to making the arc stick to more of a origin story and not wanting to drag it out which I can understand. Also to note that the story is very kid friendly as opposed to darker tellings found in Mega Man manga series out there but I think that's fine considering the audience the book is meant for and the writing does not appear to be dumbed down like other all-ages books tend to be. Now for the art. Pat 'Spaz' Spaziante is perfect for illustrating this series. His crisp line work is only surpassed by the faithful design of the Mega Man universe that he gives us. The characters and settings look like they could have come from a CAPCOM art book which is great for us who enjoy Mega Man's designs (which I do). The colors are bright and vibrant which makes sense for the relatively peaceful world the story takes place in and make the pages pop in a way I know will get a younger audience (which the series is aimed for) interested. Overall, I was impressed with the presentation of a beloved video game icon and considering Archie's success with it's other video game comic Sonic the Hedgehog, adding a story to the character that completely and utterly surpasses anything the games have done I have high hopes for Mega Man. "Comic GET!"

Rock A.K.A Mega Man was just a robotic lab assistant with his sister Roll (pun intended). His father/ creator Doctor Light built 6 robot masters to help with various tasks. But Doctor Wily (who helped design them) gets fed up with being second best. He reprograms the robot masters to carry out his evil plan. The robot masters attack and devastate the city. Doctor Light redesigns rock into Mega Man. Mega Man fights his way past the robot masters to find Wily. When he gets to him he soundly defeats him. This comic series is a great spin on a classic video game series. Written by the same author who gave you Sonic Universe, it is a great way to pass time when you cant be playing the games. I loved this series and so does my little brother. I liked this book because I love classic video games. It also written by the same author who wrote another of may favorite comic book series as I stated before. I enjoyed this book because it is inventive with out being dishonest to the games.

The writing is wonderful. The art is amazing. The paneling is perfectly varied and creative. The themes are subtle, yet poignant. The story/plot is compelling. The pacing is perfect. Enjoyable for fans of Megaman and comics alike.

This is a very interesting way to get someone who is not really into Mega Man into it. The artwork is detailed and bright, but the story doesn't suffer from how visually intense it is. I didn't really know anything about Mega Man before I read this, but I know that I like the character now. I will definitely be getting the rest of these.

You don't even have to read it to enjoy it. You can just look at the pictures!